Shops follow Wal-Mart and Kohl's to Mount Pleasant's Market at Oakland

A host of businesses have signed on to set up shop in the new Market at Oakland shopping center in Mount Pleasant following the recent openings of the center's anchor tenants, a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a Kohl's store.

Among the shops that are expected to open in the center by early next year:

--Bear N' Friends Toy Shoppe, a boutique toy store. This is the second location for the Tennessee-based company;

--GameStop, a video game chain;

--Goin' Postal, a franchise offering shipping and receiving and other business services such as copying and faxing;

--Rita's Italian Ice, a dessert franchise specializing in Italian ices, cream ices and frozen custards;

--Tresses Hair Salon, a locally owned beauty shop; and

--WineStyles, a boutique wine shop franchise.

Jason Smallwood is handling leasing for the center, which is being developed by Avtex Commercial Properties of Greenville. The retail and office complex is located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and Porcher's Bluff Road.

Red, white and new

A veteran of the wine distribution industry recently entered the retail side of the vino business.

Anthony Pugh has opened Wine Awhile in Mount Pleasant. The specialty shop is at U.S. Highway 17 and S.C. Highway 41 in the Station 41 shopping center. Products include wine, beer and related accessories.

Pugh formerly spent nine years in wholesale wine sales, working for Southern Wine and Spirits, Coastal Wine and Republic National Distribution. The Web site is wineawhile.com.

Franchising forum

An upcoming seminar at the College of Charleston will detail the ins and outs of franchising.

The Franchise Management Certificate Program will run from Oct. 24-26 at the Tate Center for Entrepreneurship.

The 2 1/2-day program will include presentations on the latest legal and regulatory issues in franchising, financial management issues, and overcoming obstacles.

Franchise experts and professionals in law, banking, real estate, accounting, risk management, marketing and other fields will tackle topics such as choosing the right franchise, raising capital for the business, finding a location and hiring.

"This is a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs to learn from experts about the skills necessary to run a successful franchise," said Tate Center director John Clarkin.

The cost is $650 for those who register before Friday, and $750 after that. The sessions will be held at the Tate Center at 9 Liberty St. in downtown Charleston. For more information, visit www.cofc.edu/~tate/ or contact Lisa O'Beirne at 953-6622 or obeirnel@cofc.edu.

Reach Caroline Fossi at 937-5524 or cfossi@postandcourier.com.